DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.
Chapter rating: T (Childbirth)
Ladyespeon164: Both would be great guesses, Shireen would be a very young dragon-rider! Sadly enough Rhaenys might not gain a rider for a few chapters, maybe, I haven't fully decided.
NicoleR85: Yep, and I hope what I have planned, everyone likes, please continue to read!
Bvh (Guest): I'll try and get it out as soon as possible.
Wolfygirlxx: It's one of the things about northern loyalty. They would have to be severe for her to break her loyalty to her queen, I would think. Rhaenyra was all Baela knew growing up as a child, Rhaenyra was to be her future lady and is her cousin, so she wouldn't forgo her loyalty so easily. But, please enjoy the next chapter!
Jctherebel: Hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967: Happy you liked it! Hope the next is good~
Chapter Thirty-Seven: XXXVII- The Wolf Plots and the Dragon Nests
(Rhaenyra)
Rhaenyra paced back and forth in her tent as Jon sat with her and Baela. The three dragon-blood children normally congregate together now out of instinct. Jaime joked it was their northern roots taking place like wolves hoarding the brooding queen inside. Many had wanted her to stay in Winterfell to birth her children but she refused and wished to rejoin her husband, if she happened to give birth on the way, she would give birth. Jon was completely against this as it would be safer for Rhaneyra to be in a Keep, but their stubborn queen refused and claimed her dragons and Ghost could protect them.
"Rhaenyra, your pacing is making me nervous," Baela said as her cousin sighed.
"This child is making me pace, they will not settle," she growled as Valaena came over.
"Alright, you need your sleep, go," Valaena ordered as Rhaenyra agreed. Her maid has been snippy since she allowed Baela to bond with a dragon and hid it from her caregiver.
"I've appologized Val, I am sorry for hiding it," Rhaenyra whined as her maid sighed.
"I am displeased with the fact that you planned it so well, I did not catch it," Valaena said as her queen smiled. "Go, you need to sleep," she guided her queen in as Baela decided to sit with her, watching over her with Dacey on guard and Ser Berric Dondarrion, he and his group were going half way before returning to Winterfell to help keep an eye on everyone.
"You must be proud of Baela," Smalljon said as he offered Jaime a mug of ale.
"Of course I am, she's progressing in her swordplay faster than her half-brother," Jaime claimed as the heir to the Umber family chuckled.
"I also meant how she became a dragon rider, you must be proud. I know the King was when he learned Rhaenyra now flew on Rhaella," Smalljon claimed as Jaime paused while drinking from his mug. "I won't say anything, but I know you are probably happy. Unlike her mother, who has been a nervous wreck since seeing her flying around Winterfell," Smalljon laughed as Jaime joined.
"Yes, I feel that would be my fault. I did encourage Baela to try if she so wished, though I did warn her if her mother found out, I'd be running in the opposite direction of the angry Velaryon woman," the Lannister joked with Smalljon who praised him.
"I have spent almost 2 years with these women. And yet, I fear Lady Lynara and Lady Valaena more than my queen," he commented as Jaime laughed loudly.
"Any Valyrian woman or northern woman I'd be very afraid of, they are like the literal fire and ice that goes through their blood," he surmised as the other agreed. "I never thought I'd grow to appreciate or enjoy the northern weather or atmosphere, but I did," Jaime commented softly as the other eyed him with an all knowing look.
"The beauty of the North, it's peaceful, so long as you do not mind the occasional howl or roar from a dragon," they shared a laugh as the dragons flew over the camp. Rhaenys was happy to fly with her sisters but Jaime knew she possibly wanted a rider and truly wondered, who would bond with her? The only possibility was his daughter's mother, another Valyrian child or the Baratheon children- And with that, Jaime's mind went blank as he realized something.
"Smalljon," Jaime called as the other perked up curiously. Many had started to call Jaime by his name not even with Ser as he does not mind the familiarity. "I could not fully remember the newest additions to the army when Arya had rejoined," Jaime commented as Smalljon paused, he thought back too and realized who the Lannister was talking about.
"Princess Arya's companions? The cook and smith?" Smalljon asked as the blonde nodded.
"What was the smith's name again?" Jaime asked.
"Gendry. He was Robert's bastard son," Smalljon answered with a nod as Jaime stared at him, confused.
"Gendry?" Jaime shook his head with a small scoff. "Seven Hells," Smalljon frowned at Jaime's words and wondered what he meant by it but Jaime did not know how to confirm before telling him just needed to talk with the boy about something. Something that happened to his sister's newborn son sixteen years ago when Robert married Cersei.
XXXVII
(Westerlands)
Robb could not believe the truth as he listened to the letters Ser Barristan gave him, and the personal letter Rhaenyra gave the knight that she wanted to do with Jon. She had sent Raynor already off to talk with her twin and be her guide to Daenerys to Westeros.
"Your Grace?" Ser Barristan asked.
"Would it be wise to give this information to Daenerys and allow her to possibly marry my cousin, her nephew?" Robb asked as the knight hummed softly.
"It would be a good choice, Your Grace. He is another northern raised child to offer to the southern ruler, it would help balance everything," he surmised as Robb nodded. "Your father chose right in raising your cousin and successfully hiding him to ensure an innocent babe grew," Ser Barristan claimed as Robb smiled.
"I wish he was here, so I could ask him," Robb told the man who smiled.
"Ned Stark was a wise and powerful man, I know you will follow in his footsteps, Your Grace," Ser Barristan said while the young king nodded.
"Thank you, my friend," Robb said before a messenger was thrown in.
"He has a message from my nephew," Rollo said, pointing to the startled man, no doubt, not used to the northern man's rough nature while Robb nodded.
"Well?" he asked.
"Lord Ivar has sent word that the queen was leaving Winterfell with her dragons and host. Her Grace hopes to be here by the second month if they do not have any delays. She knows we no longer sit at Riverrun," the messenger explained as Rollo listened. "Although, Baela Snow, her bastard cousin-" the man winced when smacked by another guard and hissed for the slur against the Queen's kin.
"Her bastard cousin, aye. Baela holds no issue with her name, what of her? Is she harmed?" Robb worried Baela was wounded and was on the march too.
"No, Your Grace! She is a new dragon-rider, her dragon is Alysanne," the messenger claimed as Theon scoffed softly in shock.
"Why does that not surprise me?" he asked.
"You know Val will love that," Arya grinned while Catelyn placed a hand over her heart.
"If it is anything like mine is now and was when I saw Rhaenyra flying for the first time, then you, young lady, should be grateful you do not have children yet," Catelyn claimed as Arya's eyes widened before she shivered in disgust.
"Rhae made it seem painful when she used to grimace at their movement," Arya said as Robb chuckled.
"Also they tended to play games on her organs," Robb joked as men all laughed.
"Siggy claimed the same thing," Rollo agreed as Arya shot up.
"Alright, I am leaving. I do not wish to discuss this!" Arya shouted as they all laughed before Robb frowned.
"You have not told her yet," he claimed while his mother sighed.
"I wish to still have my daughter talking to me until I reunite with Sansa or Rhaenyra, allow me this," Catelyn requested before Ser Barristan nodded.
"I see your point, My Lady, but what if a Frey man mentions it?" he commented as Robb's loyal squire spoke.
"Please, Ser. My kin knows not to mention anything until the King decides to tell the Princess," Olyvar swore as Robb smirked.
"I am not telling her, my mother will," Robb claimed. Catelyn eyed him with a fake scolding before smiling as she nodded.
"And I will. Once I have another daughter to help me," Catelyn said while she continued to read the paper. "And sending Jon is a good idea, it will help solidify her to Rhaenyra," Catelyn agreed as well as Robb nodded.
"Summon Prince Oberyn, as this will include his family too, I will need to discuss with him on how we plan to proceed with our ongoing war. As we plan to bring Daenerys here, we will need to make sure she will have a secure way to reach Westeros. But to also create alliances that will anchor her to us," Robb said as his surrounding council nodded while Theon offered to go grab the prince and summon him. Robb looked off to where King's Landing sat on the map as he made plans for his attack that was bringing him closer and closer to Casterly Rock, Tywin's home. He'd make the Lannisters pay for what they did to his family and the Kingdom.
XXXVII
(Dragonstone)
"You wish to go home?" Margaery asked, nervous as Sansa sat with her. Throwing a stick for Lady before Loras took over as Renly also stayed around.
"Aye. The Ironborn have been stopped and now Maester Luwin says I can return if I wish to. I have missed my home but I also wish I could meet up with Robb but it would be safer and smarter to return to the Keep," Sansa said as the other sighed softly.
"Very well. I will admit, I have enjoyed our time together," Margaery sighed as she held Sansa close while they stood to walk together. Looping arms around one another's, Lady led them to the beaches as she sniffed the air and sand. Looking back to the mainland of Westeros the large direwolf started to growl.
"Lady?" Sansa asked, confused. Margaery immediately stood behind Sansa at the younger's request in case Lady reacted negatively. But the direwolf continued to growl and show her teeth as though warning something she could not see.
"Sansa?" Margaery asked, worried. The Tyrells did not believe in the old magic as the Starks and Targaryens did, but from Sansa's eyes following her wolf's and her clutching an old weirwood symbol on her dress sleeve. "What is it?" Margaery questioned, taking Sansa's hand, breaking her connection with her wolf.
"Something's coming. I have to go home," Sansa told her as she frowned but brought Sansa with her inside the sleep, the ladies all following with their own frowns.
"Well, how about we send you to your mother, they are closer and are near the Reach, my home. I would like to show you where you might live if your brother were to agree," Margaery said while guiding the redhead who nodded.
"I hear they are very nice," Sansa spoke as Margaery guided her through Aegon's garden on Dragonstone.
"I have asked to have some seeds from this garden be taken to Highgarden and Winterfell's greenhouse," Margaery smiled as Sansa gave a small 'oh' as she touched one flower.
"I would love some of these flowers back home, though it might be too cold. I learned with Arya that many of these flowers are from Essos, they need warmer climates," Sansa spoke sadly while Margaery hummed.
"What about Riverrun?" Margaery asked.
"Mother says the weather is wet for being in the riverlands, they might be better there," Sansa surmised while her friend nodded with a smile.
"There we go! We will start to plant some around different areas," Margaery talked as Sansa nodded, both unaware of Loras looking down at the paper from his mother, Alerie Hightower, she warned him that men were gathering to attack the Reach because the capitol is struggling. They were to target their nearest food and money source. He had yet to tell his grandmother and sister, knowing what his grandmother would decide. He clutched the message before sighing as he turned to tell his grandmother.
"Keep an eye on them for me, I might have to come fetch them," he requested his companion who was the Hound. Not knowing what to do other than be a guard, the Hound had taken up patrolling the land and keeping an eye out for the noble girls and the Princess they were protecting.
"Very well," the Hound agreed. He held no issue working for the Tyrells so long as he guarded Sansa until she returned to her family. With that, Loras went in search of his grandmother and father, they needed to gather their allies all together now that the Ironborn seem to be settled, the Lannister threat was becoming stronger the angrier Tywin became when his land was attacked by Robb. The longer their people starve and struggle, the worse he will strike back. And the Reach is his target.
XXXVII
(Rhaenyra)
Roars and shrieks reached Rhaneyra's ears as she looked around, feeling something tug on her hand. Rhaenyra looked down to see a beautiful little boy with black hair and purple eyes. He laid his hands on her belly which was large but not as big as it currently is.
"When will the babe come, Muña?" the boy asked as she smiled.
"Any day now. Are you excited to be a big brother?" Rhaenyra heard herself asking as he nodded.
"Kepa and I went to the nesting sites and retrieved an egg!" the boy was heard saying as Rhaenyra smiled.
"We pray it hatches like yours, aye?" Rhaenyra questioned while looking over the dragons that were flying around, Rhaenyra could see some others flying around, smaller than Rhaella who she could see twisting and turning with other dragons following her movements. A sudden pain entered her body as she groaned.
"Muña?" Voices were heard asking as she turned to see some children following Baela who frowned. But what intrigued Rhaenyra was to see her friend pregnant as well, a specific braid on the side of her head and an iron ring on her hand.
"Nyra?" Baela was heard asking.
"Nyra?" her friend and maids asked worriedly while Rhaenyra groaned as she grabbed the tree branch she was bracing on. Many were rushing to set up their camp as Rhaenyra realized the dull aches she was feeling on her flight earlier were contractions. When she told Valaena this the woman ordered camp to be set up if Rhaenyra suddenly went into labor, as she was flying that might speed up her impending birth.
"I told you we shouldn't have strayed so far from the main roads, we could have gotten you to a Keep," Valaena snarled as she helped her companions ready the Queen's tent. Some of the men were helping the expecting mother pace to keep moving.
"Well at the moment my nerves are telling me giving birth in the camp is safer right now," Rhaenyra snapped as Jon had her walking as Smalljon asked her some questions. He had gone through this with his mother when she birthed his younger siblings and would help his queen if he could.
"Her being in any Keep would be a possibility of her being captured along with her newborn children," Rickard agreed as he saw the tent fully set up and helped his queen into her tent before a rustling of branches made Ghost and Rhaella, who have been guarding the laboring woman, bare their teeth as Rhaella hissed. But the she-dragon suddenly stopped and chattered while carefully extending her neck, she trilled while Melisandre came from hiding with some guards who held their hands up to the she-dragons that quickly surrounded them.
"Red Priestess," Valaena greeted as the woman herself chuckled.
"Dragonseed," Melisadre spoke, Valaena's eye twitched.
"I have never been called that, as I am not a bastard, my mother was one but she married my father before my birth. My daughter is a bastard, yes. But not I," Valaena spoke while Melisandre hummed before a sudden yelp from Rhaenyra made them race in. Jon braced Rhaenyra as Baela spied the puddle at her cousin's feet, realizing her babe was coming quickly.
"Alright, child. Come lay down, Jon out. Join the men," Valaena ordered as Lynara pushed the boy out as he stuttered wanting to be with his best friend but knew better before joining the men who calmed him. Many would think his relationship with the queen was inappropriate but it was the fact that Rhaenyra grew up with Jon as her brother and close friend while she loved and adored Robb. It was also the fact that if she died the dragons would react negatively and might leave, even Baela, who was growing her bond with Alysanne as her rider and not a companion to her mother, worried the same thing. Thought Jaime remembered Rhaegar's readings of dragons and their bonds with their riders. He knew the prince wished to bring the dragons back because of his fascination for them. But he knew two would possibly leave, as one's rider would be gone and the other's caretaker would be gone too.
XXXVII
"Oh, gods," Rhaenyra moaned in pain as she held onto Roslyn's shoulder. The young Frey woman shushing and cooing to her queen. Roslyn, thank the gods, had gone through many births in her family. So she knew the ways to ease her pain.
"Have her on the bed," the Red Priestess ordered, a warm bowl of water brought in. Rhaenyra panted as she was settled on the bed, her legs apart as Lynara helped in assisting Melisandre who felt her. Roslyn and Baela held the queen's hand. All the young women were instructed by the experienced women and maesters was to be her comfort and companionship, something she was willing to do whenever she needed it. The young queen hummed softly while feeling the pains, squeezing her cousin's hand as she breathed when Valaena told her too while Wylla wet down her brow as Wynda worked on clearing the bloody towels. Lynara and Valaena were aiding in preparing the clothes and would leave to go retrieve more hot water. Melisandre and Thoros just focused on helping her birth her children. Many found it odd how Thoros was there to help while others claimed Red Priests were trained like their female counterparts in childbirth as they knew ways to save the mothers too.
"Just breathe, Your Grace, breathe," Thoros instructed as she growled.
"What else can I do?" she asked, irritated as the pains continued to get closer.
"Are there too many people here?" Roslyn asked Valaena softly, worried.
"I have read that Targaryen queens used to have four friends or attendants in helping if you include the array of help they had, some had a few maesters during birth. But with how dire the queen's past is, we will need all the help we can retrieve, My Lady," she spoke as she nodded, wailing and getting a bit louder.
"You are nearly there Your Grace," Melisandre soothed as she prepared everything and told Thoros. "I believe one of the babies might have turned different," she whispered as he sighed.
"If so, we can only hope the first can turn it, or we might lose all three," he warned as she swallowed. Sending a prayer to her lord that all survived. "May I check, Sister?" Thoros asked as Melisandre agreed while a traveling midwife softly felt her belly.
"It is time child," the midwife urged.
"Alright, Baela, Roslyn. Like I've taught you," Lynara instructed. Ever so carefully, she looped an arm around one of Rhaenyra's legs.
"She is ready," Thoros announced to others who breathed and smiled.
"Get ready," Melisandre instructed, staying at the head while Lynara and Valaena readied towels. Feeling a contraction come Rhaenyra was told to push, she did so as she held her friend's hands.
Rhaenyra was whimpering as her throat strained against the stress of screams and cries, the soothing and encouraging of the women were deaf to her as she strained on listening to Melisandre. Wylla and Wynda took over caring for the queen, one holding her leg, the other took over for Roslyn who went to retrieve more towels and more water.
Ser Barristan who was stationed outside with Dacey and the northern people who were listening to the queen's screams. Many were continuously looking worried when she'd scream too loud. But what caught many of their attention was Rhaella's echoing snarls or shrill cries. It was as though she felt her rider's pains when it struck her. The men started to worry Rhaella would become too aggressive, Jaime and a handful of others all stood over the clearing where the dragons were and noticed Rhaenys and Alysanne eyeing a dark crevice where their sister was hiding and shrieking out.
"Give us one more push, Your Grace," Melisandre ordered. "A big one," she demanded. Rhaenyra wailed and gave a push as strong as she could, gripping a crying Baela's hand, not in pain but from fear of losing her friend.
"Come on, come on," the Velaryon bastard encouraged as she heard the most wonderful noise to the women and men present. Rhaenyra panted as she inhaled deeply, falling against a smiling Roslyn, the woman continued to wet her face down more. Melisandre told Thoros to cut the cord as Valaena appeared before a bright smile lit up the maid's face.
"A beautiful girl, Your Grace," she laughed, while some were disappointed it wasn't a boy, the ones who weren't were overjoyed to see a girl. Rhaenyra laughed softly, she was beyond overjoyed at seeing a girl, softly holding her daughter's tiny fist before she was taken to be cleaned by the maid.
"A girl?" Lynara asked worriedly.
"Better than a boy," Valaena snapped back, both ensuring their voices were quiet and low.
"Alright, Your Grace, you do have another on the way. Before the baby was positioned wrong but with the delivery of its sister, they had shifted," Thoros spoke as Rhaenyra gave a shaky breath as she felt the pressure return and started to readjust herself as the women helped. "Get ready," he urged as she nodded, feeling the need to push once more, before long she was back to screaming and wailing, louder and longer. Thoros helped Melisandre pull the child as she pushed.
"One more," the priestess demanded. And with her final push her second child was free, and the priestess' grave face told Rhaenyra what she needed. She had a boy.
"I'm sorry," Baela whispered with a tearful grimace, knowing Rhaenyra had hoped for twin girls.
"A healthy boy, Your Grace," Thoros beamed softly, understanding the pain the queen was going through as Lynara took him to be cleaned. The Red priest and priestess helped with the afterbirth while Melisandre went to the twins.
"A boy," Valaena gave a shaky smile.
"It is a good thing Val," Lynara hissed, making sure Roslyn didn't hear them. "We can protect him from the Freys, just like with Arya. She is still a girl, so she cannot be wed until she bleeds," Lynara wiped the crying baby off as his sister was picked up.
"I only hope," the Valyrian maid hoped as she approached the cleaned up Queen. "Your daughter," she offered as Rhaenyra held her newborn daughter. Her son was quickly offered as she took him too, balancing him on her legs, they were still sore and ache but as she stared at the twins it slowly became nonexistent. She cooed over her twins who yawned, showing off their Stark hair but it was the bright blue eyes that Rhaenrya thought she spied flecks of purple in them.
"Daenaera," Rhaenyra said as she remembered the names they chose for their children. "And Eddard." She motioned to her son, taking his hand as he gripped her finger.
"Are these names you chose?" Roslyn asked curiously, gently taking one of the babes so Rhaenyra could get up when her daughter was taken by Baela. Melisandre helped her stand as Thoros made her a small drink to help her heal and get her strength back.
"Robb and I chose both names when I returned from Dragonstone and learned I was pregnant. We already knew to name the boy after his father, for the girl I didn't know what to name her. But I chose something close to Dany's name," Rhaenyra smiled as she was helped down by Lynara who had helped her change once Thoros left to give the queen privacy, despite having helped her give birth.
"Both are beautiful," Valaena praised with the women agreeing.
"Both healthy and of fine weight, Your Grace," the midwife spoke, pride in her voice as Melisandre and Baela gave the twins back to their mother who smiled at them.
"They look like their father," Wylla smiled softly.
"With a hint of their mother, sister. Look," Wynda corrected as she smiled at the queen who chuckled.
"Their eyes might turn purple or stay blue with flecks of the purple," Rhaenyra commented. She hoped they became purple, she knew her children would look more like their Stark family, as they should, but she hoped some would take after her too.
"Rest now, Your Grace. You did a very important job, we will rejoin the King soon," Maege said as she entered with Jon and some others of their guard and close allies. Dacey and her mother took the twins and held them close while cooing over them. Rhaenyra smiled as she laid back while Baela sat at her side to watch over her, the children would be cared for until their baskets were made to settle them down.
Rhaenyra remembered the stories that were written about her ancestors flying with children, one princess who flew with her newborn sons soon after they were born. Rhaenyra knew the fastest way to Robb was dragonflight but would not leave her army by themselves.
XXXVII
It's a small chapter but I'll try to make the other longer! Rhaenyra was about 7 months pregnant when she settled at Winterfell with Jon and flew back to Robb weeks later. So she gave birth about 8 and a half months pregnant.
So roughly Rhae's dragons are almost 2 years old, Dany's daughter and dragons are around the same age, give or take a few months and are about 6-12 months. Sorry, I usually use this for myself, hope it helps if not, I'll stop posting it 😉
Please read and review, tell me what you think!
~Rusty14~